Valve-operating mechanism



-P.,S. WITT.

\ VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION fILED MAR. 20. I920.

1,356,103. Patented Oct 19,1920.

fifi 61 l Z L m midi 2 anon vim Z PSI/2 Z127 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEQ PETER S. WITT, OF EAST J UNIATA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF THIRTY-PERCENT.

TO ROBERT O. FRONTZ AND THIRTY 'PE IJUNIATA, PENNSYLVANIA.

To all whom it may concern: r

Be it known that I, PETER S. Wrrr, a citizen of the United States, residing at East Juniata, in the countyof Blair and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Valve-Operating Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improve ments in valve operating mechanism and has relation more particularly to a mechanism of this general character especially designed and adapted for use in connectiongwith the valve interposed in the supply or feed pipe for a gas stove, and it is an object of the invention. to provide a novel and improved mechanism under; thermostatic whereby the valve is automatically moved into a closed position in the event the burner or burners within the stove should cease'to function as maybe caused by reduction in the gas pressure, accidental blowing out of the flame, and the like.

Another object of the invention is to pro-- vide a mechanism of this general character including a rocking'member having coacting therewith means for automatically moving the same in one direction, said member be ing operatively connected with a valve together with a thermostatic element adapted for coaction with the rocking member to hold the same against movementunder the influence of the means for moving said mem her in one direotionysaidrock member'being also capable of manual operation. 7

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved mechanism of this general character including a rock'member operatively engaged with the valve and having coacting therewith means for imparting movement to the rock member in one direction, said rock member being also provided with mechanical meansfor holding the same against movement under the influence of said first named means and wherein a thermostatic element .isemployed for holding said rock member against movement when the mechanical meansis inoperative. The invention consists i nrthe details. of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved mechanism whereby certain imporuse, as will be hereinafter more control R'CENT. To GEORGE A. MELSON, BOTH 0F VALVE-OPERATING M CHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented 0 1 19 192() Application fired March 20, 1920. serial No. 367,458.

tantadvantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and other wise more convenient and advantageous for forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may bethe better understood I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: v 2

Figure is a view partly in elevation and partly in section, illustrating the valve mechanism constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention; I

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view partly in sectionand partly in top plan, illustrating the rock member at the, limit of its movement under the influence of the retractile member orspring, as herein embodied.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, Gr denotes a gas stove of any ordinary or preferred type and which has arranged -within the base portion thereof a burner B in communication with a feed or supply pipe P. While only a single burner B is fully set illustrated in Fig. 2, it is to be understood that these burners may be of any number desired and also may be of any preferred type or style. Interposed in the pipe P is a controlling valve V including a valve stem 1 having an exterior portion a angular in cross section. I i

Secured to a wall of the stove Gr exteriorly thereof is the vertically disposed plate 2,, substantially semicircular in form and providedwiththe feet 3 whereby thesame may be suitably anchored in; applied position. One of the feet-3 is provided with an outstanding lug or extension 4 to which is secured an end portion of a retractile member or coil spring S. The opposite end portion of the retractile member or spring S is anchored to a rock member or lever L. The member or lever L is pivotally engaged at a desired point intermediate its ends withthe plate 2, said pivotal connection 5 being substantially at the axial center of the arcuate periphery b of the plate .2. An .end portion 6 of the rock member or leverL extends beyond the arcuate periphery b of the plate 2 and constitutes a handle or hand grasp whereby said rock member or lever L may be manually operated.

Pivotally engaged, as at 7, is a dog or pawl 8, herein disclosed as substantially U- shape in form and having its intermediate portion 0 engageable with the arcuate edge or periphery b of the plate 2.

Pivotally engaged, as at 9, with the end portion of the rock member or lever L remote from the handle or hand grasp 6 is an end portion of an elongated rod 10. The opposite end portion of the rod 10 is pivotally engaged, as at 11, with a laterally di posed tail or arm 12 carried by an end portion of a plate 1 1. The plate 1 is provided with the longitudinally disposed slot 15 in which is snugly engaged the angular portion a of the valve stem 1. By this means, the valve may be moved into open or closed position upon requisite endwise movement being imparted to the elongated rod 10. By having the rod 10 pivotally engaged with the laterally disposed arm or tail 12, provision is made whereby the rod 10, and the plate 14 are prevented from assuming a dead center which would otherwise interfere with the requisite operation of the mechanism.

T denotes a thermostatic element, preferably comprising an elongated brass rod and the opposite end portions of the element or rod T are freely disposed through the openings 16 provided in opposed walls of the stove G. One end portion of the element or rod T has threaded thereon the, nuts 17 which engage the opposite faces of the wing loop 18 secured eXteriorly of the stove G to the wall thereof remote from the plate 9. By this means, the nuts 17 permit the element or rod T to be longitudinally adjusted in accordance with the requirements of practice.

An end portion of the element or rod T remote from the loop 18 extends within an opening 19 provided in the plate 2 and in alinement with the opening 16hereinbefore referred to and when said. element or rod T expands under the influence of the heat generated within the stove Gr, said rod will extend beyond the outer face of the plate 2 and intersect the oath of travel of the rock member or lever L so that said thermostatic element or rod T serves as a stop to hold the member or lever L against movement through the medium of the retractile member or spring S. \Vhen the stove G is cold or relatively so the element or rod T contracts whereby said element or rod offers no obstruction to the movement of the member or lever L so that in the event the burner within the stove should cease to function, as by reduction of the pressure of the gas within the pipe P or the flame of the burner be blown out, the resultant contraction of the element or rod T releases the member or lever L, when set, and the movement of said member or lever L through the instrumentality of the retractile member or spring S moves the valve into a closed position so that the flow of gas to the burner B is stopped.

When the stove G is to be operated, the member or lever L is swung in a direction to open the valve V and the dog or pawl 8 engages within a recess or notch 20 prop erly positioned in the periphery of the plate 2 and whereby the member or lever L is held against movement under the influence of the member or spring S. When in this position, the member or lever L has passed beyond the opening 19. After the stove has operatedfor a relatively small period of time, theelement or rod 10 will sufliciently expand to cause the same to intersect the path of travel of said member or lever. The dog or pawl 8 is then removed from within the notch 20 and the member or lever L caused to engage the extended end portion of the element or rod T so that the mechanism is in condition to automatically function and which arrangement is particularly desirable at night or when it is desired to have the stove operated without any person in the immediate vicinity. The movement of the member or lever L under the influence of the spring S is limited by a stop 21 (BXtGIKL' ing beyond the outer face of the plate 2. As herein disclosed, said stop 21 comprises a nut engaged with the tie bolt 22 for securing the upper portion of the plate 2 with the adjacent wall of the stove G. As is particularly illustrated in Fig. 3, said bolt 22 is surrounded by a spacing sleeve 23 interposed between the plate 2 and the adjacent wall of the stove G.

I also find it of advantage to provide the working end portion of the element or rod Tor that end portion which coacts with the member or lever L withv a steel cap 2a in order to effectively resist the wear which would otherwise be imposed ,upon the element or rod T by the member or lever L.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a mechanism con structed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof, and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

ing a plate provided with a slot in which -llii the stem of the valve is slidably engaged, said stem being held against rotation with relation to said plate, a second plate provided with an opening, a lever pivotally engaged With the plate, a link pivotally engaged with the lever and with said first named plate, a spring connecting the lever and the plate for imparting movement to the lever in one direction, and a thermostatic element, when expanded, extending through the opening in the plate and coacting with the lever to hold the same against movement under the influence of the spring.

2. A valve operating mechanism comprising a plate provided with a slot in which the stem of the valve is slidably engaged, said stem being held against rotation with relation to said plate, a second plate provided with an opening, a lever pivotally engaged with the plate, a link pivotally engaged with the lever and with said first named plate whereby said valve may be opened or closed upon requisite movement of the lever, a spring connecting the lever and said second plate for imparting movement to the lever in one direction, a stop to limit the, movement of said lever by said spring, a thermostatic element, when expanded, extending through the opening in the plate and coacting with the lever to hold the same against movement under the influence of the spring, said lever being provided with a dog, and a shoulder formed -upon said second plate with which said dog is adapted to enga e, said'dog being engageable with said s oulder when said lever is shifted beyond said opening from said stop.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

PETER S. WITT. 

